THESSALONIKI — A flight from Newcastle, England, to Heraklion, Crete, was forced to make an emergency landing at Thessaloniki’s “Makedonia” International Airport after a 42-year-old British passenger allegedly caused a disturbance while intoxicated.
The incident occurred on the evening of August 30. According to Greek authorities, the man was in an obvious state of intoxication, created disorder in the cabin, behaved aggressively toward crew members and fellow passengers, and refused to comply with the crew’s instructions. The captain diverted the aircraft to Thessaloniki for the safety of those on board.
Airport police arrested the passenger after landing. He faces charges of dangerous interference with aircraft transport, violating the captain’s orders, and disturbing public order under Greece’s Aviation Code.
Published reports have not identified the passenger by name and have not said whether he was traveling with a companion. Coverage refers only to a 42-year-old British national as the person arrested.
The flight had been bound for Heraklion. Similar alcohol-related incidents on holiday routes have led to other diversions in Greek airspace in recent years.
